The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) endured a forgettable campaign in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite being tipped to secure a playoff berth with ease, they fell well short and ended up at the bottom of the table. The additions of Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, and Ayush Mhatre have provided some relief ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
However, the Men in Yellow still face a major task at the auction, where freeing up funds will be crucial to rebuilding their squad.
CSK’s squad for IPL 2025 (including replacements): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, Devon Conway, MS Dhoni, Shaik Rasheed, Deepak Hooda, Andre Siddarth, Vansh Bedi, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, R Ashwin, Sam Curran, Rachin Ravindra, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal, Vijay Shankar, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Ayush Mhatre.
Here are three CSK players who should be released before the IPL 2026 auction:
#1 Devon Conway
Bought for over ₹6 crore, Devon Conway struggled to cement his place in the CSK lineup during IPL 2025. The New Zealand opener couldn’t find consistent form, and his batting no longer looks suited to the demands of a modern T20 opener. Conway not only carries a heavy price tag but also doesn’t appear to contribute much to the team’s future plans.
With his performances declining, giving him opportunities ahead of someone like Rachin Ravindra seems unjustified from CSK’s point of view. As a result, it feels likely that the franchise will move on from the experienced batter before the IPL 2026 auction.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin’s association with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has recently made headlines for reasons beyond cricket. Putting aside the off-field matters, it may be the right time for the five-time champions to part ways with one of their greatest icons.
Ashwin didn’t play a single match in the last season, and with Chepauk pitches not assisting spinners as much as expected, he couldn’t form the anticipated spin trio with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. At 38, Ashwin provided limited contributions with the bat, and with a contract valued at ₹10 crore, he may be approaching the conclusion of his tenure with CSK.
#3 Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi has proven to be a valuable batsman for every IPL franchise he has represented, so his acquisition by CSK came as no surprise. However, earlier this year, the aggressive batter struggled for consistency and often failed to make a significant impact on the scoreboard.
Signed for over ₹3 crore, Tripathi appears to be approaching the latter stages of his career rather than the peak. He shows clear technical vulnerabilities against good-length deliveries and swing, while his performance against spin has also declined. At 34, it would be prudent for CSK to consider replacing him with a younger batsman who offers greater long-term potential.
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